SBBA Conductor Weekend Workshops voted great success
The Scottish Brass Band Association
Conductor Weekend Workshops
14th and 15th April 2012, The Couper Institute, Glasgow
Tailored Workshops for Conductors of Lower Section/Youth or Advanced Level Bands
The Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA) held a collection of workshops for conductors of advanced level bands, youth bands and lower section bands across the 14th and 15th April at The Couper Institute in Glasgow. The weekend attracted 27 delegates, all eager to benefit from the expertise of the visiting advisers, Alan Withington, Nigel Boddice, Alan Fernie and Lynsey Paterson, supported by the Co-Operative Funeralcare Band and the King's Park Youth Band (including younger members from the King's Park Junior Band). Based on the positive feedback from the delegates, the weekend has proved to be very insightful, highly productive and extremely informative for all involved.
Andrew Duncan, SBBA's Development Manager, commented: "The workshops have been an undoubted success. We wanted to arrange this weekend of conducting sessions to ensure that SBBA is supporting its member bands (and others) in all aspects of brass band music making, providing an opportunity for conductors at all levels to gain valuable knowledge from the very experienced collection of advisers we invited.
It's been a fantastic couple of days and the attendees seem to have learned a great deal from the sessions, across a wide variety of topics. In addition to practical conducting skills, the workshops also included a session on percussion and advice on rehearsal techniques, repertoire choice and band motivation. The feedback has been really positive and we were particularly pleased to see that our introduction of a session on ‘understanding percussion' for the conductors attending the Youth Band/Lower Section workshops was so well received - I think it's clarified quite a few musical mysteries!
On behalf of SBBA, we are extremely grateful to all the advisers for their hard work and the expertise they have shared. We are also very appreciative of the two supporting bands that enabled our delegates to try out their newly gained techniques, putting the theory into practice."
The weekend concluded with a public joint concert between the two bands, also enabling two selected delegates from the weekend to take the baton for part of the performance. Amongst its programme, and with an enthusiastic audience response, The Co-Operative Funeralcare Band offered an airing of both the test pieces they will be performing at the forthcoming European Brass Band Championships. Meanwhile, The King's Park Youth Band and the members of the King's Park Junior Band who joined them, impressed everyone with their entertaining and demanding performance, clearly demonstrating that Scotland's youth bands are going from strength to strength.
In conclusion, Andrew Duncan added: "It has been a very full and busy schedule, but definitely to the benefit of everyone attending. I believe the bands will see a noticeably positive difference to rehearsals when their conductors return to them!"
Andrew Duncan, Delegates and Tutors involved over the weekend.
Nigel Boddice with some of the students who also performed as a brass group at the course.
Student Martyn Ramsay conducting Co-op Band under the watchful eye of Alan Withington
Lynsey Paterson with some of the students at a very Informative percussion presentation.
During the final concert Martin Stack on right, presents a Cornet to Kings Park Brass on behalf of
the Co-operative Funeralcare Band.
SBBA express sincere thanks to Co-operative Funerarcare Band, Kingspark Brass, Helen & Steven Gray for Catering over the weekend and to Andrew Duncan for his work preparing and organising the weekend.
________________________________________________________
The Scottish Brass Band Association is delighted to present Conducting Weekend Workshops – two weekend courses designed for conductors of either Lower Section/Youth Bands or Advanced Level Bands. Featuring the unquestionable collective talents of Alan Withington, Nigel Boddice, Alan Fernie and Lynsey Paterson, and supported by the Co-operative Funeralcare Band and King’s Park Youth Band. The weekend’s full itinerary for both courses takes place at The Couper Institute, 86 Clarkston Road, Glasgow, G44 3DA on 14th and 15th April 2012 and culminates with a public joint concert between the supporting bands at 5.30pm on Sunday evening.
Both courses are structured around comprehensive schedules and aim to offer delegates advice, guidance and insight on conducting techniques and approaches, specific to the demands of the relevant level of their band. Through presentations, workshops, master-classes, full and smaller group sessions, the weekend promises to offer valuable know-how and tricks of the trade to assist the delegates in improving the productivity and effectiveness of their own conductor/band relationships.
Full details are included on the downloadable brochure, together with a booking form. Due to the tailored, ‘hands-on’ nature of the courses, spaces are limited in numbers. It is, therefore, highly recommended that you register your place as soon as possible by downloading the brochure, completing the booking form and returning it with payment as indicated.
If you have further enquiries regarding any other aspect of the Conducting Weekend Workshops, please contact:
Andrew Duncan, Development Manager Email: AndrewDuncan@sbba.org.uk Tel: 07970 797 161
Click Here to Download Workshop Brochure
